It turns out this post was even more obnoxious to myself than part 1.
You ever have those moments when your expressions don't suffice your true beliefs? Join the crowd.
11.12.2008
I repent... (part 2)
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About Me
- Jonathan & Sandy Collins
- We met in junior high and have held each others' attention ever since. We married on October 14th, 2005 and moved to Bend, Oregon. We have since moved to San Diego to further Jonathan's training and development in the decathlon (a summation of track and field). Sandy has enjoyed a variety of job assignments ranging from sales to event coordinating to personal assistant positions. She is now an executive personal assistant. We are lovin' life and lovin' livin' for God. Most of our free time is spent building His Church and encouraging His people.
8 comments:
I have to say that I, for one, was extremely offended by your post. I can't believe you muscled in on my territory like that.
Dude, leave the obnoxious judgment to the pros. I don't go around running and jumping.
:-p
I didn´t agree to everything you wrote but I never thought this was an "obnoxious judgment."
I respect your opinion and know that you have no intentions to judge or condemn anybody. If anything your post just made me stop and think a little bit - so I liked it! ;)
JC,
I don't remember everything in that post. I do remember it came across strong, but I don't remember walking away thinking it was "judgmental", however. I think, and I could be wrong as it wouldn't be the first time, that as believers we have become so gun shy, so to speak, in presenting our understanding of truth because we are immediately called "judgmental". Our society encourages sensitivity and, in fact,sometimes forces us to even take sensitivity courses at our jobs in order to keep them. Being sensitive to others is, of course, a good thing, but it often encourages sensitive skin. This, I believe, creates an atmosphere that no matter what is said someone feels attacked and/or the victim. (as I'm sure there are those who may be reading this feels, even though I have no idea who made comments to you) This sensitivity transcends all areas of society, but seems to be heightened in politics and religion and even more so when the two are combined. Our role, as believers in Jesus, is to navigate toward truth and season that with grace. However, truth doesn't always come across graceful. Just ask the Pharasies, Saducees and oh yeah, the disciples. The tricky part, of course, is the "truth" part. I do remember you backing up your post with scriptural reference or the invite to show them if asked. I've always loved your heart and believe your post was not meant with malice but rather it was born out of conviction for where the Lord has been leading you. Keep up the task and continue to seek the truth.
blessings.
1. A very perfect Man once said: what good is salt that has lost its saltiness....it is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet." (Mt 5:13)
2. Prov 6:9 asks an interesting question: how long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?
3. These two scriptures came to time when I read the aforementioned post that has since been laid to rest. I thought - we need more people who will be salty (in all of its Biblical connotations) and a few less sluggards who lay around and try to stay comfortable.
Interesting funny thought that followed (obviously out of context and lacking in proper hermanutical application) - what happens when salt gets on a slug?
I guess I hope Jonathan David Collins stays salt and realizes that he probably can't stay friends will all the slugs.
Full of Salt (and maybe a little vinegar) - Caleb
Thanks for all your replies in this and previous posts. This has caused quite a bit of thought on how I handle my stances on life.
Offense-
I am fairly convinced that I do not have the privilege in life of ever taking offense. If I am to die to self daily, then why would I choose to protect my floppy, man made opinions to the place of being offended? Don't get me wrong, I do get offended sometimes, but I generally give a quick self slap to the face and tell me to snap out of it. On the contrary, if I believe and study the Word of God and then build my beliefs on It, then offense is no longer mine to own.
Salt-
One time my friend made peach cobbler while pressed for time. Dinner finally ended and we were all excited for dessert to come out of the oven; we had been talking about it throughout the entire dinner. Everyone got their slice, covered it in ice cream, and dug in. I had devoured two bites before even tasting it and suddenly I felt like puking. I looked around the table and everyone was wearing the expression, "I'm chewing on a lemon peel", trying not to laugh.
Long story short, we realized the batch called for 3 TABLESPOONS of salt and she accidently put in 3 CUPS of salt. Dessert was ruined and everybody left with a fowl taste in their mouth.
You know I will never be one to serve a bland, saltless dish in life. However, I have many times served up a 3 CUPS of salt platter, thinking people would dig right in. On the contrary, it has brought about maximal drama and minimal fruit.
I realize I probably operate best in a place similar to The Outback Steakhouse. People leave saying, "Man I'm stuffed. That was really good... pretty salty, but still good."
Sensitivities-
Your thoughts were great, Scott:
"Being sensitive to others is, of course, a good thing, but it often encourages sensitive skin. This, I believe, creates an atmosphere that no matter what is said someone feels attacked and/or the victim."
I don't yet know how to apply that, but thanks for the wisdom.
I can't believe I am saying this, but I am curious to hear from an anonymous or two; maybe even a johnny six pack. Just dont get all cranky on us, as you are an unknown guest on our friends and family forum.
At the expense of this scripture being too salty, I will remain anonymous.
We are human, but we don't wage war with human plans and methods. We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds. With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ. II Cor. 10:3-5
This is what the Lord says: "Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans and turn their hearts away from the Lord. They are like stunted shrubs
in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, on the salty flats where no one lives. But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit. The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I know! I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve. Jer. 17:5-10
JC, I encourage you to continue to teach obedience to God!
Here's the thought I'm having - "It's your blog".
If readers of your blog get offended or feel judged by reading your general thoughts and opinions in a blog, I think they need to read more. More blogs, more books, more opinions that are contrary to their own. And more bible for that matter.
Part of it is the Family Life Church, Pastor Steve Meistrell influence on me at this point. Or maybe it's the Joel Stockstill influence - leading the largest youth church while preaching one of the hardest messages around. But I think I've made the jump permanently to leading passionately and aggressively in the direction of the gospel and scripture. I'm not really concerned with trying to strike balance and protect feelings anymore. I'm not trying to influence the masses to move toward Christ 2 or 3%. I want to give my life to influencing people that are ready to give up their lives for knowing and serving him. I want to run with people who want to run. The time to walk in America (and the whole world) is behind us. The world is in crisis. I'm done giving half truths and softball answers. I'm not trying to keep from offending the religious unbelieving church. There's enough pastors, leaders and Christians doing that. Someone has got to tell the bold, raw truth to a generation that is so comfortable in their deception.
I feel a preach coming on...
2 Tim 4:1-5 - I charge therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
I say preach. Preach with grace. Preach with love. Preach with tact. But don't stop preaching. The truth must be told.
To Anonymous, and Danny:
Thank you guys. I receive your words. Danny, your last line is SOLID. And oh that 2 Tim. 4:1-5... thanks for posting.
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